Bucks grab 53-39 halftime lead over Cavs

Monta Ellis and Ersan Ilyasova each had 10 points to help the Bucks to a 53-39 halftime lead over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night at the Bradley Center.

Beno Udrih added seven points and three assists in 10 minutes off the bench as the Bucks opened a five-game home stand.

The Bucks shot 50% from the field (21 of 42) while the Cavaliers struggled to 32.6% shooting (14 of 43).

Antawn Jamison and Anthony Parker each had seven points for Cleveland, which was playing without injured point guard Kyrie Irving (sprained right shoulder).

The Bucks took a 29-14 lead after one quarter while shooting 44% (11 of 25). Cleveland shot just 21% (6 of 29).

Ellis and Ilyasova each had eight points in the period, and Ellis played the entire quarter and went 4 for 7 from the field.

Larry Sanders rejected two consecutive shots in the second quarter, leading to fast-break baskets by the Bucks. Sanders blocked a shot by Omri Casspi, and Udrih converted with a short jumper. Moments later, Sanders blocked an attempt from guard Lester Hudson, leading to a fast-break layup by Dunleavy for a 35-18 Milwaukee lead.

The Bucks led by as many as 19 points before Cleveland put on a spurt, drawing within 39-26 on a dunk by Tristan Thompson and an inside basket by Alonzo Gee.

Udoh scored on a baseline jumper and a layup off an assist from Ellis, and an Ellis jumper gave the Bucks a 50-32 lead. A three-pointer by Anthony Parker cut the Cavaliers' deficit to 15 points and prompted a timeout by Bucks coach Scott Skiles with 2:30 left in the second quarter.

The Bucks drew two charging fouls on Gee and Thompson late in the quarter, but a basket by Thompson and a tip by Jamison brought Cleveland within 53-39 at intermission.